In this review, a weekend packed with Cincinnati vs. Miami match-ups. A historic Little League World Series for the Buckeye State concludes. Plus, an update on Kaiser and Sapp’s journey at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Cincinnati’s Miami sports weekend

From the Cincinnati Reds losing two out of three against the Miami Marlins. To the Cincinnati Bengals losing their preseason finale 29-26 against the Miami Dolphins. Miami was on the mind throughout the weekend. The Bengals faced the Dolphins in Cincinnati. Moments after the Reds vs. Marlins series finale in Miami.

The big story from the Bengals game was Joe Burrow’s return. After being sidelined by an ACL injury last November. Burrow was in and out of the game in a flash. Taking just three snaps under center in Cincinnati’s opening offensive drive. Burrow’s lone pass attempt was dropped by his college and now pro teammate Ja’Marr Chase. Part of a preseason where Chase struggled to hold onto the ball.

Among the other takeaways from the Bengals preseason finale. Cincinnati’s defense mostly held up well until the fourth quarter. When Miami overcame what was a 26-14 Bengals lead deep in the fourth. Cincinnati’s Trayvon Henderson snagged an interception and Keandre Jones led the game with seven tackles. While Bengals defenders sacked Dolphins full game quarterback Reid Sinnett three times. On a positive note for the Bengals offensive line. Quarterbacks Burrow, Brandon Allen and Kyle Shurmur weren’t sacked.

Another takeaway was the remarkable homecoming for Gerrid Doaks. The Dolphins running back played college football at the University of Cincinnati. Doaks is heading into his rookie NFL season on a high note. As the only player in yesterday’s game to score two touchdowns. While leading the game with 16 carries and 56 rushing yards.

The last major takeaway is the performance of Bengals rookie kicker Evan McPherson. McPherson tied the Bengals regular season franchise record with a 57 yard first half field goal. Part of an impressive preseason for the Florida Football alum. Now the Bengals turn towards their regular season debut against the Minnesota Vikings. Coming up September 12th at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium.

Turning to the Reds, the best way to sum up their week on the road is that they’re down but not out. They avoided being swept in Miami and Milwaukee. Losing two out of three to the National League Central leading Milwaukee Brewers earlier last week. Standings-wise, the Reds are still in second place in the NL Central. 8.5 games behind the Brewers going into Monday. Despite the rough week, the Reds would still qualify for the postseason if it began today. The Reds lead the San Diego Padres by 1.5 games for the second wild card spot. The Padres spent the week getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers; then splitting a weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels.

This week, the Reds have an opportunity to put more distance between themselves and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals are in third place in the NL Central. 3.5 games behind the Reds heading into a three game series in Cincinnati. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday’s games are set to begin at 6:40 PM Eastern. The Reds will host the Detroit Tigers Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM Eastern. Sunday’s finale is set to start at 1:10 PM Eastern.

From Miami, FL to Ohio’s Miami valley

We shift not only from Miami to Ohio’s Miami valley. We also shift from Major League Baseball to Little League Baseball. Hamilton, Ohio’s West Side All Stars advanced to yesterday’s Little League World Series Championship Game. After winning the Tom Seaver bracket last Saturday in Williamsport, PA. The West Side All Stars lost in the title game to Taylor North, MI 5-2. The team that beat the West Side All Stars in the Great Lakes Regional Championship Game. Advancing to the championship game is a first for the West Side All Stars.

The West Side All Stars are the first Ohio team to advance to the championship game. Putting forth a showcase that would make Hamilton’s famous son Joe Nuxhall proud. Speaking of the late Joe Nuxhall, his longtime broadcasting partner Marty Brennaman was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame last Friday. In a ceremony delayed a year by the COVID-19 pandemic. Coming nearly two years after Brennaman’s retirement. The induction ceremony unfolded while the Reds were in Miami. Ironically, the ceremony and Reds legends softball game unfolded during the Reds lone win in Miami.

FC Cincinnati sees lead collapse against Columbus again

Elsewhere last Friday, it was deja-vu all over again for FC Cincinnati. The Orange and Blue saw a late lead against the Columbus Crew slip away. Ultimately losing 3-2 in Columbus after leading 2-1 80 minutes in. Nearly two months after Columbus battled back from a 2-0 deficit. Leaving Cincinnati with a 2-2 draw, in the first “Hell is Real” Derby match at TQL Stadium on July 9th.

As was the case when they met back on July 9th; Lucas Zelarrayan’s and Miguel Berry did the scoring for Columbus. Zelarrayan’s goal in the 45th minute got Columbus on the board first. FCC’s Ronald Matarrita scored an equalizer in first half stoppage time. Isaac Atanga gave FC Cincinnati the lead in the 74th minute. Miguel Berry scored Columbus’ equalizer and game winning goals in the 81st and 82nd minutes.

For those not sick of Cincinnati vs. Miami matchups; this coming Saturday is your day. Not only will FC Cincinnati face Inter Miami at FCC’s TQL Stadium. Cincinnati Football will face Miami (Ohio) Football at Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium. In the renewal of the Battle for the Victory Bell. After the historic rivalry took a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19 last year. Kickoff between FCC and Inter Miami is set for 8 PM Eastern on WSTR-TV 64. While the Battle for the Victory Bell is set to kickoff at 3:30 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Paralympics update

Just as Joe Burrow was in and out in a flash last Sunday. Greater Cincinnatian Emmy Kaiser’s competitive run in the Tokyo Paralympics concluded in a flash. Kaiser lost her opening match in the women’s wheelchair tennis singles tournament. To China’s Jinlian Huang last Saturday 6-1 in both sets. In men’s swimming, UC student Lawrence Sapp’s Paralympic pursuit continues.

Sapp finished in fifth in the S14 classification’s Men’s 100m butterfly last Wednesday. After finishing in second in his qualifying heat last Tuesday. Sapp will race in the first heat of the 200m Medley SM14 tonight at 8:28 PM Eastern. The final for that event will be Tuesday at 4:34 AM Eastern time. He will also race in the second heat of the Men’s 100m backstroke S14. That race is set to start Tuesday at 9:09 PM Eastern. The final for that event is set to start Thursday at 5:03 AM Eastern.

The Tokyo Paralympics will conclude this Sunday.